Tempers flared in Parliament on Thursday during a heated debate over the stalled Tamale-Savelugu-Walewale road project, after it was revealed that the contractor awarded the project has allegedly absconded with nearly $30 million despite completing only 1% of the work.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, made the revelation in response to an urgent question from Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.
According to the minister, the Indian firm, Halapatura Projects International Limited GMC, which was awarded the contract under the Akufo-Addo administration, abandoned the site shortly after receiving a payment of $29.6 million.
The company has since made an additional claim for $14 million.
“The state is actively pursuing the contractor,” Agbodza stated, adding that the Attorney General is currently examining legal options to either compel the contractor to return to site or refund the funds.
He also noted that efforts are underway to prevent the contractor from moving its tax-exempt machinery out of the country.
The disclosure provoked sharp disagreements between the Minority and Majority caucuses, with Minority MPs raising concerns over the politicization of the matter.
They questioned the relevance of references to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who officially cut the sod for the project.
Former Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei Asare and former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul vehemently opposed any attempts to link the scandal to Dr. Bawumia.
However, the Majority, with the backing of First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, managed to carry the argument.
The government has yet to confirm when or whether construction on the vital northern corridor route will resume.
The stalled project has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for stricter oversight of foreign contractors and infrastructure financing.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
